US, China agree to increase number of flights
China and the United States have agreed to double the number of flights between the countries.
The US Transportation Department said agreement has been reached to allow the four Chinese airlines currently flying to the US to increase their flights up to eigght a week and US carriers will now double their frequencies.
"This aggregate level of service is equivalent to the total number of flights now permitted by the Chinese aviation authorities for US carriers," the DOT said.
United Airlines said it will increase its flights to China to four a week from San Francisco to Shanghai beginning next month.
Delta said it will add a weekly flight from Detroit and one from Seattle to Shanghai, via Seoul, starting next week.
The Chinese carriers that currently serve the US are Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines and Xiamen Airlines, which have maintained limited services throughout the pandemic, unlike their American rivals.
The flight increase is still a long way from pre-pandemic levels.
The US-China air agreement allows for more than 100 flights per week between the two nations.
US authorities recently put pressure on China after it was accused of delaying approvals for US airlines to resume flights.
That tactic eventually worked as United and Delta were able to restart limited US-China services.
"The Order also indicates our willingness to further revisit our action should the Chinese aviation authorities adjust their policies to bring about the necessary improved situation for US carriers in which both they and the Chinese carriers could fully exercise their bilateral rights," the DOT said.
Written by Ray Montgomery, US editor
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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